Arm-braced slingshot



May 12, 1970 c. A. SAUNDERS ARM-BRACED SLINGSHOT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1968 wmvrm. 52 CHARLES A. snu/vams y 12, 1970 c. A. SAUNDERS 3,511,221

ARM-BRACED SLINGSHOT Filed July 5, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/Vl E/VTO/P.

CHARLES A. SAUNDERS United States Patent ()1 fice 3,511,221 ARVI-BRACED SLINGSHOT Charles A. Saunders, Box 102, Columbus, Nebr. 68601 Filed July 3, 1968, Ser. No. 742,360 Int. Cl. F41f 7/00 U.S. Cl. 124-20 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a slingshot. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved arm-braced or arm-supported slingshot of simple construction, of increased effective range and accuracy, and finding utility both as a target weapon and as a hunting Weapon.

Many types of slingshots are known in the prior art. These devices have taken numerous and varied physical forms and structural arrangements, and many different manufacturing materials, fabrication techniques, and assembly procedures have been used. Some of these prior art devices have utilized no auxiliary bracing; in others the bracing has been invoked in varying degrees and in various ways. Notwithstanding long established interest in slingshots and the many forms this weapon has taken, no entirely satisfactory structure has heretofore been produced. In each, one or more undesirable or objectionable features may be recognized, and no physical structure has proven completely suited for the intended purposes. It is, therefore, the aim of the present invention to provide an improved slingshot which obviates the shortcomings and deficiencies of prior art devices.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved slingshot which is arm-braced for enhanced steadiness, greater accuracy, and increased effective range.

Another object of the invention is to provide an armbraced slingshot in which the separate band-carrying members are individually adjustable to compensate for differential stress forces applied thereto in use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a slingshot which is readily and conveniently collapsible from a functional disposition to a carrying configuration, in which latter state it occupies a minimum of space.

A related important object of the invention is to provide improved attachment means by which the missilereceiving pouch or sling of the weapon is secured to respective resilient bands.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide simple, convenient and adjustable means by which lateral separation of the forward securement positions of the band to the fork components of the slingshot may be effected.

Other and further objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

3,511,221 Patented May 12, 1970 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slingshot incorporating the features of the invention, the weapon being illustrated as gripped for use, and in an arm-braced position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the slingshot of FIG. 1, the dotted lines indicating the position of the handle assembly when the slingshot is in a collapsed or carrying condition;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the slingshot;

FIG. 4 is a view of the slingshot as seen from the front;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view, partly in section, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and showing details of the handle mounting and yoke assembly of the slingshot;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 and showing the yoke positioned in engagement with the rods of the slingshot;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 3 and showing the arm-engaging web at the rearward end of the slingshot;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 3 and showing the novel manner of attachment of the pouch to the resilient tube element or band of the slingshot; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 9.

The aims and objects of the invention are achieved by providing in an arm-braced slingshot a pivotal handle which facilitates folding and compaction of the slingshot when not in use, and fork-like prongs or band carriers which are adjustable and individually extensible for equalization of draw forces applied to each. The structure also includes means for adjusting the width, separation, or spread of the prongs, and an improved connector assembly by means of which the pouch or missile-receiving web of the slingshot is more securely attached to the elastic bands and through which an improved cupping action is realized.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, for purposes of disclosure, the armbraced slingshot 20 of the invention is shown as including a generally upright handle 24, preferably contoured 26 to ensure and comfortable gripping. Secured to an laterally spaced on opposite sides of the handle 24 is a pair of substantially symmetrically disposed, high-strength rods 30 and 32, each rod being of one-piece construction and including a rearwardly extending leg 36 and 38 and an integral forwardly projecting, reversely curved hook 42 and 44. High-strength, resilient bands 50 and 52, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention take the form of elastomeric tubing, include end sleeve portions which overlay and are firmly secured to the rearwardly directed ends 56 and 58 of respective hooks 42 and 44.

The rearward extremities 62 and 64 of the rods 30 and 32, which are spaced laterally, carry an arm-engaging, web-like strap or band fastened to and bridging the rods, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3. The strap or web 70 is preferably of an extensible and elastic material such as rubberized fabric. Securement of the web 70 to the rod ends 62 and 64 is through insertion of the rod ends 62 and 64 into frictionally embracing sleeves 76 and 78 provided at opposed lateral margins of the band 70. Each rod leg 36 and 38 is contoured to establish a pair of inflection curves 80 and 82 and 80a and 82a whereby the web-carrying ends 62 and 64 of the rods are offset downwardly to facilitate unobstructed positioning of the web on or in engagement with the users forearm 90.

The manner in which the handle 24 is secured to the rods 30 and 32 is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and details of the structure are illustrated in FIGS. and 6. As shown, the handle 24 is pivotally supported at its upper end on a transverse shaft 96, the latter projecting through a suita-bly sized passage 98 extending diametrically through the handle 24. The shaft 96 has formed therein at opposed sides of the handle 24 a pair of transversely extending through slots 102 and 104 through which the rods and 32 are slidably received. Opposed lateral ends and 112 of the shaft 96 are provided with axial sockets tapped to provide threads, the sockets communicating with the rods 30 and 32. Locking screws 116 and 118, which may be Allen screws or the like, are threadedly engaged in the threaded respective ends 110 and 112 of the shaft to abut and bear forcibly against the rods 30 and 32 to hold the rods in independently selectable positions, both axial and spread, and to preclude sliding rotation, or shifting movement of the rods relative to the handle assembly.

Secured to and pivotal with the handle 24 is a yoke assembly 124 which includes a post or bar 128 fastened at its upper end 130 to the handle 24 and carrying at its lower end 132 a transversely extending plate, flange, or yoke symmetrically disposed to extend to either side of the bar 128 and to overlay the rods 30 and 32, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Formed to extend upwardly into the lower edge 144 of the abutment plate or yoke 140 and in vertical correspondence with the rods 30 and 32 therebelow are arcuate recesses and 152 sized to receive the rods 30 and 32 in nesting engagement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, and as best seen in FIG. 7, entrance of the rods 30 and 32 upwardly into the recesses 150 and 152 is partially restricted, and, during such entrance the rods bear laterally against camming surfaces and 162 of the yoke 140 so that, in their final positions, the rods seat, secured against inadvertent pivotal displacement. Through the arrangement illustrated and described, the arm-braced slingshot assumes, in use, the configuration depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. When it is desired to fold or collapse the slingshot, it is necessary only to force the handle 24 upwardly, to pivot clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2, whereby the handle 24 and handlecarried yoke assembly assume the position indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

An important feature of the invention is the connector assembly by means of which the leather-like sling or pouch is secured to the rearwardly extending extremities 174 and 176 of the resilient bands or tubes 50 and 52. The novel and highly effective mode of attachment will be best understood with reference to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 9. A locking wedge 180 generally round in transverse section and including an enlarged head 184 is joined to a depending shaft 186 of reduced diameter. The shaft 186 is shaped at its annular periphery to provide a plurality of ring-like ribs 190 projecting radially from the shaft 186 and spaced along an axially extending expanse thereof. In the structure as assembled, the head 184 of the wedge is forcibly inserted into the open end of the tubing resiliently to distend the tubing radially and to effect a positive frictional engagement between the wedge 180 and the tubing 52. The end 194 of the pouch 170 is secured in an annular open ended slot 198 between the tubing 52 and the shaft 186 of the wedge 180 so that the resilient properties of the tubing urge the pouch end 194 into stressed and locked engagement against the ribs 190 of the Wedge 180 to restrain the pouch against endwise withdrawal.

While the invention has been described and illustrated by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An arm-braced slingshot comprising a generally upright handle,

a pair of laterally spaced high-strength rods disposed symmetrically one at each side of said handle, each said rods including a rearwardly extending leg and an integral forwardly pjrojecting reversely-curved hook,

said hook adapted for attachment of an elastic band thereto at an end thereof,

clamping means engaging said rods intermediate opposed ends thereof and pivotally securing said rods to said handle,

handle-supported rod-engaging yoke means overlying said rods,

said yoke means releasably engaging said rods and constituting a mechanical stop to limit pivotal upward displacement of said rods relative to said handle during use of said slingshot, and

arm-engaging, web-like strap means extending laterally between and interconnecting rearwardly extending free ends of said legs of said rods and resting upon and bearing against the forearm proximate the wrist of the slingshot user.

2. The mechanism as recited in claim 1 and further comprising elastic band means secured to hooks of said slingshot at ends of said hooks.

3. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said clamping means securing said rods to said handle include rod-gripping means facilitating independent selective axial positioning of said rods in both forward and rearward positions to accommodate each particular user and to balance draw forces applied to said band means.

4. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said clamping means include means for securing each of said rods in independently selectable positions to ensure equalization of draw forces applied to said elastic band means of said slingshot during use thereof.

5. The mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said clamping means securing said rods to said handle include means for securing said hooks of said rods in independently selectable relative lateral, spread positions to equalize draw forces applied to said elastic band means of said slingshot.

6. The mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said clamping means includes means pivotally securing said rods to said handle to permit pivotal shifting of said rods between a yoke-engaging functional position of said rods and a yoke-disengaged collapsed and compacted position, said compacted position facilitating storage and transportation of said slingshot when not in use.

7. The mechanism as recited in claim 2 and further comprising:

a sling-like pouch for cradling a missle to be discharged from said slingshot,

means securing said pouch to said band means at ends of said band means opposed to ends thereof fastened to said hooks,

said elastic band means consisting essentially of tubing fabricated of a high tensile strength, resilient, elasto. meric material,

said means securing said pouch to said band means comprising an assembly-locking wedge generally T- shaped in cross section and including an enlarged head and a depending shaft of reduced diameter as compared with said head,

said head adapted for forced insertion axially into an open end of said tubing to constitute said tubing a distended resilient sleeve encircling and gripping said head and overlying said shaft of said wedge,

said shaft and said sleeve defining therebetween an annular open-ended slot receiving axially therewithin an end portion of said pouch,

5 said sleeve being in stressing engagement with said pouch and urging said pouch into firm and interlocking abutment with said shaft of said wedge, to lock said end of said pouch Within and to secure said pouch against withdrawal from said slot.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising a plurality of spaced ring-like ribs disposed annularly about and projecting radially from said shaft of said wedge along an axially extending section thereof,

said ribs mechanically engaging with mating grooves formed in said sleeve to effect a keying of said shaft with said end portion of said pouch to obviate relative axial shifting therebetween even upon application References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1968 Rock l242() 9/1957 Stribling 124-20 10 RICHARD c. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner 

